The Packers Stubbornly Stuck With Anders Carlson — And Paid The Price
Former Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson used to refer to the NFL as a “big boy league.”
The Packers operated like they were a little league outfit in recent weeks when it came to kicker Anders Carlson.Instead, the Packers chose to stick with Carlson, and the results were predictable.
With Green Bay leading, 21-17, over heavily-favored San Francisco in the NFC divisional playoffs Saturday night, Carlson sent a 41-yard field goal wide left. The 49ers then drove 69 yards and won the game when Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 6-yard touchdown with 1:07 left.But the Carlson problem could have been fixed weeks ago — and even in the week leading up to the San Francisco game. But the Packers stuck their collective head in the sand and somehow hoped the problem would disappear.
It didn’t.
Green Bay special teams coordinator Rich Bissacia didn’t want to talk about Carlson’s woes last week.
“We’re onto the next game in San Francisco,” Bisaccia said on Jan. 17. “And whatever happened in the last game happened, we’ve looked at it, hopefully corrected it, and we’re moving forward.”
LaFleur said the Packers weren’t entertaining the idea of replacing Carlson.
“We’re committed to him,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said stubbornly. “And we’re going to see this thing through.”
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The Packers Stubbornly Stuck With Anders Carlson — And Paid The Price
Rob Reischel
Contributor
I report on the Green Bay Packers.
Jan 21, 2024,12:44am EST
Packers 49ers Football
Green Bay place kicker Anders Carlson (17) watches [+]
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Former Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson used to refer to the NFL as a “big boy league.”
The Packers operated like they were a little league outfit in recent weeks when it came to kicker Anders Carlson.
Carlson, a rookie from Auburn, was the most unreliable kicker in the NFL this season. As Green Bay’s surprising season continued, it had every opportunity to bring in a veteran to replace Carlson.
Instead, the Packers chose to stick with Carlson, and the results were predictable.
With Green Bay leading, 21-17, over heavily-favored San Francisco in the NFC divisional playoffs Saturday night, Carlson sent a 41-yard field goal wide left. The 49ers then drove 69 yards and won the game when Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 6-yard touchdown with 1:07 left.
Carlson missed at least one kick in his final five games and 10 of his last 12 contests. Afterwards, Packers coach Matt LaFleur had no answers for Carlson’s season-long struggles.
“I think if we had the answer we would have fixed it, right,” LaFleur said. “So, certainly just got to work on the consistency. We’ve seen him do it. We know what he’s capable (of), but you’ve got to be consistent in order to Carlson missed at least one kick in his final five games and 10 of his last 12 contests. Afterwards, Packers coach Matt LaFleur had no answers for Carlson’s season-long struggles.
“I think if we had the answer we would have fixed it, right,” LaFleur said. “So, certainly just got to work on the consistency. We’ve seen him do it. We know what he’s capable (of), but you’ve got to be consistent in order to last in this league.”
There were many reasons the Packers lost to the 49ers for a fifth straight time in the postseason.
Darnell Savage dropped a sure-fire, pick-six early in the contest. Jordan Love threw two extremely costly interceptions in the final 17 minutes. And Green Bay’s three trips into the red zone in the first half netted just six points.Carlson, a rookie from Auburn, was the most unreliable kicker in the NFL this season. As Green Bay’s surprising season continued, it had every opportunity to bring in a veteran to replace Carlson.
